The QTF Backbone
proposal for a nationwide optical fibre backbone in germany for quantum technology and time and frequency metrology
Abstract
The recent breakthroughs in the distribution of quantum information and high-precision time and frequency (T&F) signals over long-haul optical fibre networks have transformative potential for physically secure communications, resilience of timing infrastructure (such as that supporting Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS)) and fundamental physics. To date, these capabilities remain confined to isolated testbeds, with quantum and T&F signals accessible, for example in Germany, to only a few institutions. In this white paper we propose the QTF Backbone: a dedicated national fibre-optic infrastructure in Germany for the networked distribution of Quantum and T&F signals using dark fibres and specialised hardware. The QTF Backbone is planned as a four-phase deployment over ten years to ensure scalable, sustainable access for research institutions and industry. The concept builds on successful demonstrations of time and frequency distribution at high Technology Readiness Levels (TRLs) across Europe, including PTB–MPQ links in Germany, REFIMEVE in France, and the Italian LIFT network. The QTF Backbone will enable transformative Research and Development (R&D), support a nationwide QTF ecosystem, and ensure the transition from innovation to deployment. As a national and European hub, it will position Germany and Europe at the forefront of quantum networking, as well as T&F transfer.
Details
- Organisation(s)
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Institute of Solid State Physics
Institute of Quantum Optics
Institute of Geodesy
- External Organisation(s)
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Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt PTB
DFN
Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU Erlangen-Nürnberg)
Max Planck Institute for Nuclear Physics
University of Bonn
University Hospital Düsseldorf
German Aerospace Center (DLR)
Ulm University
Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden - Rossendorf e. V. (HZDR)
University of Stuttgart
Institut für Quantenphysik and Center for Integrated Quantum Science and Technology (IQST)
BHO Legal
eleQtron GmbH
Saarland University
Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz
Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin (HU Berlin)
Forschungszentrum Jülich
Deutsche Bahn AG
Max Planck Institute of Quantum Optics (MPQ)
Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München (LMU)
Ilmenau University of Technology
Federal Agency for Cartography and Geodesy (BKG)
Deutsches Elektronen-Synchrotron (DESY)
GSI Helmholtz Centre for Heavy Ion Research
University of California at Berkeley (UC Berkeley)
Technical University of Munich (TUM)
Leibniz Supercomputing Centre
Fraunhofer Institute for High Frequency Physics and Radar Techniques (FHR)
Technische Universität Braunschweig
Julius Maximilian University of Würzburg
RWTH Aachen University
Walther-Meißner-Institute for Low Temperature Research
Menlo Systems GmbH
Fraunhofer Institute for Integrated Circuits (IIS)
Adtran Networks SE
Adva Network Security GmbH
University of Koblenz (UK)
GasLINE GmbH & CO. KG
Technische Universität Darmstadt
Technische Hochschule Lübeck
University of Siegen
JoS QUANTUM GmbH
University of Münster
GFZ Helmholtz Centre for Geosciences
Technische Universität Berlin
Infosim GmbH and Co. KG
Cluster of Excelence Complexity, Topology and Dynamics in Quantum Matter (ctd.qmat)
Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT)
Universität der Bundeswehr München
Nordhausen University of Applied Sciences
Paderborn University
Kiel University
Fraunhofer Institute for Laser Technology (ILT)
Cycle GmbH
Universität Hamburg
Geodetic Observatory Wettzell
Max Planck Institute for Radio Astronomy (MPIfR)
Ferdinand-Braun-Institut gGmbH, Leibniz-Institut für Höchstfrequenztechnik (FBH)
Ruhr-University Bochum
Max Planck Institute for the Science of Light
Federal Office for Information Security (BSI)
Nokia Corporation
Helmholtz Institute Jena
Friedrich Schiller University Jena
TOPTICA Photonics SE
TimeTech GmbH
SEFE Energy GmbH
Fraunhofer Institute for Telecommunications, Heinrich Hertz Institute (HHI)
NanoMikroWerkstoffePhotonik.NRW (NMWP.NRW)
Munich Center for Quantum Science and Technology (MCQST)
- Type
- Article
- Journal
- European Physical Journal: Special Topics
- Volume
- 235
- Pages
- 3353–3387
- No. of pages
- 35
- ISSN
- 1951-6355
- Publication date
- 08.2026
- Publication status
- Published
- Peer reviewed
- Yes
- ASJC Scopus subject areas
- General Materials Science, General Physics and Astronomy, Physical and Theoretical Chemistry
- Electronic version(s)
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https://doi.org/10.1140/epjs/s11734-026-02451-3 (Access:
Open
)
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Details in the research portal "Research@Leibniz University"
